ABOUT US

Every day, people are faced with the decision to try Meth. Many perceive benefits in using the drug, but little to no risk. This is the root of the problem. The goal of the Idaho Meth Project is to arm teens and young adults across the state with the facts about Meth so that they can make well-informed decisions when presented with the opportunity to try it.

METH IN IDAHO

The Idaho Meth Project is a large-scale, statewide prevention program aimed at reducing and preventing teen Meth use through public service messaging, education and community outreach initiatives. The goal of the Project is to ensure that Idaho's youth are aware of the dangers of methamphetamine use by emphasizing our NOT EVEN ONCE messaging. By reaching teens before they ever try the drug, we can significantly impact Meth's destructive effects on our state.

Law enforcement officials, drug counselors, and state legislators agree - there has never been a drug as powerful, addictive, and quick to destroy lives and communities as methamphetamine. Meth is the top drug of choice and the top drug problem in Idaho. Idaho teens don't believe most of the more common effects of using meth. But some effects are more believable than others:

34% of Idaho teens believe meth helps you lose weight

28% of Idaho teens believe meth makes you feel euphoric or very happy

28% of Idaho teens believe meth gives you energy

22% of Idaho teens believe meth helps you deal with boredom

14% of Idaho teens believe meth helps you escape your problems

WHAT IS THE IDAHO METH PROJECT?

The Idaho Meth Project is a large-scale prevention program aimed at reducing Meth use through public service messaging, education, and community outreach. Founded by the Thomas and Stacey Siebel Foundation, the Idaho Meth Project is a private-sector response to a critical public health issue. The Meth Project has been cited by the White House as one of the most effective prevention programs and a model for the nation.

Central to the integrated, research-based campaign is MethProject.org, a definitive source for information about Meth for teens. MethProject.org is supported by hard-hitting television, radio, print, online, mobile, and social media campaigns that communicate the risks of Meth use.

The Meth Project has been credited with significant declines in Meth use, and was named the 3rd most effective philanthropy in the world by Barron's. Since the Project's launch, teen meth use has declined 56% in Idaho1, 65% in Arizona2, and 63% in Montana3. Currently, six state affiliates in Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming implement the Meth Project prevention programs.

On January 7, 2008, Governor C.L. "Butch" and First Lady Lori Otter announced the official launch of the Idaho Meth Project. Recognizing the pervasive problem of Meth in Idaho, the Governor and First Lady adopted a proactive approach to ensure that Idaho youth truly understand the dangers of this horrific drug. We need your continued support to ensure this campaign sustains itself over time so we can educate our citizens about the dangers of Meth - Take Action Now!

This significant decrease clearly demonstrates that Idaho's integrated approach to addressing the state's methamphetamine problem is having an impact. As a result of the efforts of law enforcement, drug courts, treatment and prevention efforts like the Idaho Meth Project, we are seeing a reduction in Meth use among Idaho's youth.

APPROACH

Every day, people are faced with the decision to try Meth. Many perceive benefits in using the drug, but little to no risk. This is the root of the problem. The goal of the Idaho Meth Project is to arm teens and young adults across the state with the facts about methamphetamine so that they can make well-informed decisions when presented with the opportunity to try it.

The Idaho Meth Project conducts extensive statewide surveys and focus group research to more thoroughly understand Idahoans' attitudes and behaviors related to methamphetamine. This research provides the foundation for our messaging programs.

Leadership

Darrell Calton - Board Chair
Darrell Calton is a thirty-two-year veteran of the radio broadcast industry and serves as Market General Manager for Boise's Impact Radio Group. Having worked in various size radio markets in Utah and Nevada, Calton was transferred to Boise, Idaho from Reno, Nevada in March of 2007 to work for Citadel Broadcasting of Boise.

Debbie Field - Board treasurer
Director Field is the former Administrator of the Idaho Office of Drug Policy. In this capacity, Administrator Field coordinated all drug and substance abuse programs within the State of Idaho. Field resides in Meridian, ID.

James Adamson
Mr. Adamson is one of the founders of multiple healthcare companies. He has an operating, finance, and venture capital background. Mr. Adamson has been a successful investor in more than 40 healthcare ventures.

First Lady Lori Otter, Executive Director
Lori Otter, First Lady of the state of Idaho, is a former teacher and elementary school principal. In January 2008, First Lady Otter and her husband, Idaho Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter, launched the Idaho Meth Project. First Lady Otter resides in Star, ID.

Cyn Reneau, Director of Education and Development
Cyn began her efforts with the Idaho Meth Project as the Treasure Valley's Volunteer Chair in 2008. She has been a staff member since January 2011. Cyn is passionate about educating Idaho's teens and sharing the NOT EVEN ONCE message with teens. When she's not 'on the road' visiting schools, Cyn calls Boise her home. She is the mother of two daughters, Whitney and Karuna.

First Lady Lori Otter

Founder and Board President

Lori Jean Otter became Idaho's First Lady when her husband, C.L. "Butch" Otter, became Governor on January 1st 2007. Lori Otter was born in Pensacola, Florida, where she grew up in a Naval Military family as the youngest of four children and the only girl. When her father retired in the 70s, her family moved to Twin Falls, Idaho, taking over a family farm. Mrs. Otter fell in love with Idaho, and became active in 4-H and FFA, taking horse, sheep and pig projects to the Twin Falls County Fair.

After graduation from Kimberly High School, First Lady Otter attended school at College of Southern Idaho, in Twin Falls, Idaho earning an A.A. in English Literature. She finished her B.S. at Boise State University, in Education, Physical Education, with minors in Health and English.

First Lady Lori Otter began her teaching career in Wellton, Arizona teaching 9th grade Health, English and Social Studies. She also coached Basketball, Volleyball and Softball during her year in Arizona. First Lady Lori Otter returned back to Idaho in 1995 when she accepted a teaching and coaching position in the Meridian School District where she taught Health and Physical Education. She coached Basketball and Volleyball at the middle school and high school level for 12 years. Seeking new challenges, Mrs. Otter pursued and completed her Masters degree in 2004 at Northwest Nazarene University in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Educational Leadership. She spent two years in the Meridian School District, working in administration at the elementary level.

Mrs. Otter is on the Foundation Board at St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, the Treasure Valley Reading Foundation, Idaho Governor's Cup, and is the Summer Reading Ambassador for the Idaho Association of Libraries. With her husband Governor Otter, she is on the Idaho Meth Project Advisory Council and has worked to promote and launch the Idaho Meth Project, a prevention campaign designed to reduce the first time use of Methamphetamine by youth in Idaho. First Lady Lori Otter has collaborated with Boise State University to design and write a Children's book, "Ida Tours the Capitol" designed to educate 4th graders about Idaho History. Using her teaching background, Mrs. Otter has created a gift for the children of Idaho that is also an up to date educational resource for students and teachers. First Lady Otter was recently appointed to the Governor's Spouses Leadership to Keep Children Alcohol Free, and continues to advocate about underage drinking issues in her state.

First Lady Lori Otter has completed three marathons and remains committed to health and physical fitness. She is an avid horseback rider and rodeo fan, raising and training horses on their ranch in Star, Idaho. First Lady Lori Otter has five stepchildren, as well as four grandchildren, and all of whom she will continue to spoil relentlessly in her free time.

Debbie Field

Board of Directors

Debbie Field was appointed to the Idaho House of Representatives in 1995 and was elected to serve the people of Boise's District 18 (southeast Boise) for twelve years. She served on the State Affairs and Revenue and Taxation Committee and served as Chair of the House Judiciary and Rules Committee, where she worked to help secure a consistent funding stream for drug and mental health courts. Debbie served 10 years as a Board Member for the Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections. In January 2007, Governor Otter named her Administrator of the Idaho Office of Drug Policy. Debbie's work with the Office of Drug Policy took her all over the great state of Idaho to meet with folks and listen to their stories of addiction.

In her former capacity, Debbie served as Chair of the Interagency Committee on Substance Abuse, Prevention and Treatment. The purpose of the interagency committee was to focus on statewide efforts to address substance abuse by assessing statewide needs, developing a statewide plan, and coordinating and directing efforts of all state entities that use public funds for efforts to address substance abuse. Debbie and her husband, Mike, have three grown children and five grandchildren.

James Adamson

Board of Directors

Mr. Adamson is one of the founders of multiple healthcare companies. He has an operating, finance, and venture capital background. Mr. Adamson has been a successful investor in more than 40 healthcare ventures. Moreover, he was the founder of a venture capital fund and served as a board member and /or officer to many of the ventures. These ventures have been focused on Healthcare Services: Ambulatory Surgical Centers, medical office buildings, Surgical Hospitals, Community Hospitals, Transitional Care Facilities, Imaging Centers and Urgent Care.

He believes strongly in giving back to his community through charitable efforts. His major focus is investing in youth. He has been involved with the Idaho Meth Project for the last six years.

Darrell Calton

Board of Directors

Darrell Calton is a thirty-two-year veteran of the radio broadcast industry and serves as CEO and General Manager for Boise's Impact Radio Group. Having worked in various size radio markets in Utah and Nevada, Calton was transferred to Boise, Idaho from Reno, Nevada in March of 2007 to work for Citadel Broadcasting of Boise. Calton took over the operations of the independently owned Impact Radio Group in August of 2008 to supervise seven radio stations. In 2002 Calton was inducted as a member of the Nevada Broadcasters Hall of Fame and in 2009 was named Radio Ink Magazine's Manager of the Year for his work in the Boise radio market. Darrell Calton and his wife, Mona, are strident supporters of the Idaho Meth Project, fueled by their son's methamphetamine addiction that began in 2001. The Caltons have since vowed to help raise awareness about the drug in order to prevent other families from enduring the physical, emotional, and financial devastation that Meth has caused their family. "It is our hope that personal stories like ours can make the difference and set the example for others and they understand that with meth, not even once should be the rule, not the exception". Calton and his wife have three sons and reside in Meridian.

Mayor Tammy de Weerd

Advisory Council Member

Mayor Tammy de Weerd, a third-generation Idahoan, has served as the Mayor of Meridian since January of 2004. She has lived in Meridian and been an active volunteer in the community for nearly two decades, serving the citizens of Meridian in an array of voluntary and elected capacities. She brings extensive experience as an elected official, community volunteer and businesswoman. Tammy has been repeatedly recognized for her leadership roles and making a difference in the community. Tammy has been Kiwanian of the Year for the Meridian Kiwanis Club and Woman of the Year by Meridian Chamber of Commerce. In 2002, Governor Dirk Kempthorne recognized Tammy as Idaho's first Individual "Brightest Star" for her efforts to build a better community at home in Meridian and statewide on behalf of families and children. Tammy has been an active advocate for the Idaho Meth Project since its founding in 2007. Tammy and her husband Jan live in Meridian and have four children.

Shawna Adams

Advisory Council Member

Shawna Adams is a Professional Banking Officer for Bank of the Cascades. She works with organizations of all sizes and complexity in Treasury and Cash Management services. Shawna works with businesses, nonprofits, professional firms and government entities. As an active and dedicated member of the Treasure Valley community and a native to Idaho, Shawna is a volunteer mentor for the Mentoring Network, graduated from Leadership Nampa in 2014, is a 2014 TWIN (Tribute to Women & Industry) honoree, and was a 2014 Loaned Executive for United Way. In her spare time she plays roller derby for Beet City Bombers in Nampa, Id, and was acting league president for the 2014 season.

Gail Hartnett

Advisory Council Member

Hailing from Long Island, New York, Gail and her family moved to Boise, Idaho from Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 1987.

Gail became licensed as a REALTOR® in February of 1992. Gail was honored by the Ada County Association of REALTORS® as the 1998 REALTOR® of the Year and served as President of the association in 1999. Since 1996, Gail has served nationally as a member of the Women's Council of REALTORS®. She is a national speaker, and from 1998-2006 was an instructor at WCR's award winning Leadership Academy. Gail was elected to the National Leadership Team in 2003 serving as Financial Secretary, Recording Secretary, President Elect, and was the 2006 National President of the Women's Council of REALTORS®.

At the state level, Gail served as the 2007 President of the Idaho Association of REALTORS®. She has chaired the Public Policy and Professional Development Committees. A major RPAC donor and President's Circle member, she served as a National RPAC Trustee in 2007. She is the FPC (Federal Political Coordinator) for Congressman Mike Simpson, and she currently serves on the Executive Committee of the National Association of REALTORS®.

In 2001, Gail was a TWIN (Tribute to Woman in Industry) Award recipient. In March of 2008, Gail was honored by Boise State University as a recipient of the "Women Making History" Award. Her latest challenge had been a run for the Idaho State Legislature as a representative in her district.

Happily married to Ron for 39 years, they have three wonderful grown children and three "perfect grandchildren". Baxter, their black Labrador puppy keeps both Gail and Ron "up to speed." In her spare time, Gail loves to cook, entertain, garden and read.

A consistent Top Producer, she is listing and selling Real Estate as the Team Leader of The GAIL HARTNETT Team at Keller Williams Realty Boise.

Heidi Otto

Advisory Council Member

Heidi Otto has worked in the health care industry since 1998 in various capacities and currently serves as the Regional Sales Director for TASC in Idaho. Heidi has been an active volunteer and has served in numerous capacities to facilitate substance abuse education with youth. Heidi has worked with PAYADA, Meridian School District and Idaho Youth Court.

Heidi is a native Idahoan and has spent time in both North Idaho and the Treasure Valley. She graduated from Boise State University with a B.S. in Psychology and M.S in Health Science. Heidi and her husband, Heath, have 2 children and reside in Meridian Idaho.

Nick Roundtree

Advisory Council Member

Nick Roundtree is the founder of the successful brokerage Nick Roundtree Real Estate, and COO of the booming flower boutique, Flowers at Will. Born and raised in the Treasure Valley, Nick left the area briefly as a career in finance and project management took him to Seattle. But home was calling and he returned to Boise to pursue his real estate passion, quickly becoming a Boise Bench Real Estate Expert. For nearly a decade in real estate, Nick has repeatedly been recognized as one of Ada County's Top Producing Realtors. When Nick's not out matching clients up with their perfect homes, he's busy volunteering as a mentor for MPowerment Boise, fundraising for Ballet Idaho or serving as Founding Member of the Small Business Group for Vistage International.

Nick feels passionately about the necessity of Idaho's Meth Project, as he personally struggled with and overcame addition in the past. Nick hopes his story proves that addiction does not define you; through organizations such as Idaho Meth Project, help is available to allow success beyond the addiction.

Ben Wolfinger

Advisory Council Member

Ben Wolfinger has been with the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office since April 1, 1983. Ben worked in the Jail, Patrol and Detectives while he worked his way through the ranks, making Captain in April of 1995. Ben was appointed to Major in 2009 and commanded the Support Services Bureau. Ben was elected to be the Kootenai County Sheriff in 2012 and began his first term on January 14, 2013 after the retirement of Sheriff, Rocky Watson.

Ben has and continues to be an active volunteer in the community, is a former Coeur d'Alene City Councilman and Past Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Coeur d'Alene Area Chamber of Commerce. Ben is a graduate of the 1994 Leadership Coeur d'Alene class. Ben has received a variety of community honors including the Ed Abbott Community Volunteer of the Year award in 2001 and the 2005 Distinguished Citizen of the Year.

Sarah Woodley

Advisory Council Member

Sarah Woodley is President of Business Psychology Associates (BPA), a Boise, Idaho company that offers health care solutions that help people improve their lives. BPA assists individuals and organizations by providing and managing high quality and effective behavioral health care, and currently services over 533,000 members across the country. Woodley joined BPA in 1996 and has worked in quality assurance, finance, contract services and clinical office management functions for the organization. Prior to joining BPA, she was responsible for the development, testing and staff training for decision support systems of an international retailer. Woodley received a bachelor's degree from Santa Clara (California) University in Spanish and Anthropology and studied at Universidad de Costa Rica, San Jose, Costa Rica.

Adrean Cavener

Executive Director

Adrean Cavener comes to the Idaho Meth Project from the American Heart Association where she was the Director of Government Affairs for over eight years. She worked on several policy changes including CPR education for high school graduation, funding for tobacco prevention and cessation programs, among many others. She also worked in Governor James Risch's administration, thrilled to serve in her hometown, Idaho Falls as his Eastern Idaho Regional Director. Prior to returning to Idaho, Adrean worked in Washington DC for Senator Larry Craig on the Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs and then The Nature Conservancy.

Adrean is a graduate of Idaho State University and lives in Meridian with her husband, Luke and stepson, Gunner.

Partners

Coeur d'Alene Tribe

Mountain View Hospital

Wal-Mart

Union Pacific Foundation

Monsanto

CH2M-WG

Idaho Community Foundation

Idaho National Laboratory

Cooper Norman

Ball Ventures

Wild 101.1

Think Through Math

Office of Drug Policy

The Medicine Abuse Project

Zions Bank

Mountain View Charity

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